2013 Commercial Real Estate
Transcription
2013 Commercial Real Estate
APRIL 2014 The Daily News Publishing Company Pahlow Wins Commercial Broker of the Year Scott pahlow of Newmark Grubb Memphis honored by maar commercial council with top award. PAGE 4 2013 Commercial Real Estate Pinnacle Awards SPECIAL Section standing tall City’s commercial real estate brokers honored for excellence (Daily News/Andrew J. Breig) “The Pinnacle Awards provides the opportunity for the commercial real estate community to come together, network and celebrate the achievements of our peers.” – Tanis Hackmeyer, 2014 president, MAAR Commercial Council Loeb Lauded for McComas Enters Council’s Hall of Fame Overton Square Efforts David McComas this year’s inductee. PAGE 6 Square wins Community impact award. PAGE 7 Overton Square 2 Pinnacle Awards april 2014 Commercial Real Estate Commercial Real Estate april 2014 Pinnacle Awards 3 Editor’s Note: Pinnacle Awards Honor Individuals, Industry O If your small to midsize company is seeking retail, industrial or office space, put award-winning broker Roger McLemore on your team. In 2013, he helped dozens of small business owners find Roger McLemore, Pinnacle Awards Producers Club the right spaces to start or grow their businesses and he’s ready to help you. Multi-Family & Commercial Real Estate www.MRGMemphis.com/commercial | 901.683.2220 We would like to thank the Memphis Area Association of Realtors for recognizing the hard work behind our city’s commercial real estate development projects. Our team is honored that Overton Square received the Community Impact Award! • Local Gastropub • Malco Studio on the Square • Memphis Pizza Cafe • Robata Ramen & Put Him on Your Team Babalu Tacos & Tapas • Bari Ristorante • Bar Louie • Bayou Bar & Grill • Belly Acres • Bikram Yoga Memphis • Boscos • Breakaway Running • Delta Groove Yoga • Golden India • Lafayette’s • Le Chardonnay • Lenny’s Sub Shop He’s at the Top of His Game Yakitori Bar • Sweet Noshings • The Attic • Schweinehaus • The Square Olive • YoLo Frozen Yogurt • and more to come in 2014! nce again, The Daily News/Memphis News is honored to partner with the Memphis Area Association of Realtors Commercial Council to take a moment to celebrate the hard work, determination and achievements of local commercial real estate professionals. The publication you hold in your hands spotlights the top commercial real estate professionals in the Memphis area who are being recognized at the 13th annual Pinnacle Awards, a program that has grown into one of the most prestigious events honoring local CRE brokers. Being honored again this year is the Pinnacle Producers Club, which recorded nearly $2 billion in real estate transactions in 2013. The Pinnacle Producers Club includes brokers who met or exceeded a volume of $2 million dollars in commercial real estate transactions. This year the MAAR Commercial Council will honor the Top 25 producers as well as the top producers in each category – professionals who epitomize the dedication and hard work that is especially necessary to be successful in an James Overstreet economy that is slowly but steadily improving. Associate Publisher & And the Commercial Council has added two new honors this year: the top producer of a non-national, MemExecutive Editor phis-based firm; and the Grit-n-Grind Broker of the Year, the broker who has closed the most transactions regardThe Daily News Publishing Co. less of volume. Here at The Daily News/Memphis News we are proud to be the event’s media partner for another year. We appreciate the importance of commercial real estate in the local business community as it has been a cornerstone for economic growth since the city was founded. While Memphis is renowned for its location and infrastructure, economic progress requires the tireless efforts of professionals like the ones featured in this special publication. You’ll see familiar names and faces from the city’s top real estate companies – CB Richard Ellis Memphis, Colliers International, Cushman & Wakefield, Highwoods Properties, Jones Lang LaSalle, Loeb Realty Group, NAI Saig Co. and more. While these companies often go head to head in the highly competitive arena of commercial real estate, one of the hallmarks of the local CRE industry has always been its aura of community. It’s that sense of camaraderie that prompted the MAAR Commercial Council to launch the Pinnacle Awards in 2002 as a way to bring together the CRE community, network with peers and showcase the industry’s top producers while also encouraging membership in MAAR. And as MAAR Commercial Council president Tanis Hackmeyer points out on the following page, this event is not only an opportunity to honor individual achievements but “to share and celebrate with those we respect, and to be thankful for the relationships we have formed.” Finally, the MAAR Commercial Council and its members should be applauded for giving back to the community through its annual MAAR Commercial Council charity golf tournament that benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Mid-South. As you know, the Make-A-Wish Foundation is a truly worthy cause that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions. In 2013, the tournament raised enough money to grant six wishes. To the MAAR Commercial Council and its members, thank you for your generosity to the community and your advocacy for Memphis. And, again, congratulations to all of this year’s Pinnacle Award honorees on an impressive 2013, and we wish you the best of luck and good fortune in 2014. 4 Pinnacle Awards Commercial Real Estate april 2014 President’s Letter: Pinnacle Awards: A Celebration of Hard Work T he Memphis Area Association of Realtors Commercial Council honors all of its commercial council members at the 13th annual Pinnacle Awards. The Pinnacle Awards provides the opportunity for the commercial real estate community to come together, network and celebrate the achievements of our peers. The Memphis commercial real estate community is made up of a truly dynamic group of multifaceted, hard-working individuals, and Pinnacle recognizes the fruits of our hard work. Last year, the Pinnacle Producers commercial real estate transactions exceeded a billion dollars ($1.86 billion). This year we congratulate the Pinnacle Producers Club recipients, who met or exceeded a volume of $2 million dollars in commercial real estate transactions, and applaud those that made it to the Pinnacle, for which we strive every year. The Top 25 producers will be honored for reaching the Pinnacle as well as the top producer for each category. Two other merit awards have been added this year: the top producer of a non-national, MemphisTanis Hackmeyer based firm and the Grit-n- Grind recipient who has closed the most transactions regardless of volume. Ad2014 President ditionally, we will pay tribute to those in our community for whom we nominated and voted: MAAR Commercial Council • Broker of the Year: One who stands out amongst his peers and has excelled in the industry in 2013 • Hall of Fame: One who has been an icon in the business community year after year • Community Impact Award: Company who has made a significant & positive change in our community in 2013. The Commercial Council has evolved to mean much more than just real estate. As the Pinnacle Award recipients will attest, the Memphis community has been good to us and therefore we give back when we can. Memphis Area Association of Realtors Commercial Council (MAAR CC) continues to give back through various charitable events, the largest of which is our annual Commercial Council golf tournament benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In 2013, MAAR CC raised enough money to grant 6 wishes and the goal each year continues to grow higher. This year’s event will be held again at Windyke Country Club on May 22. While the tournament is sold out, there are still sponsorship opportunities available! The hard work of the golf committee and continued support from our sponsors gives MAAR CC the ability to make additional wishes come true for children who suffer life-threatening medical conditions. This benefit is proof that we can pull together and can make a positive impact in the community. Now I would like to take this opportunity to thank Greg deWitt, last year’s Commercial Council president for continuing to exemplify the Council’s mission with great ease and a fantastic sense of humor. Greg was as focused as his predecessor, John Mercer, on continuing to make an impact on the Memphis and real estate communities. In closing, MAAR Commercial Council is a strong and diverse group of commercial real estate professionals, and I am fortunate and honored to be a part of the leadership team. The Pinnacle Awards is always a special evening for not only the MAAR CC but also for all involved in any aspect of commercial real estate, and this year is no different. It is more than an awards ceremony; it is an evening to share and celebrate with those we respect, and to be thankful for the relationships we have formed. Thank you for joining in the celebration. Service and Good Work since 1946. LEED CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS • SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FACILITY D E SI GN SURV E Y I N G • • C I V I L EN G IN EER IN G TRAN S POR TAT ION NATURAL / WATE R R ES OU R C ES A Heritage Spanning More Than Six Decades Dillard Door’s proud and longstanding history extends from the bright lights of Madison Avenue to the familiar sights of the Memphis skyline. What was once a small business focused primarily on selling glass doors has grown into an enterprise that now offers the most advanced security solutions available today. Today, Chris Bird and his team at Dillard Door & Entrance Control continue the fine tradition of service excellence and integrity that the Mid-South has come to expect from the Dillard name…Since 1947. Access Control ■ Security Cameras ■ Gate & Parking Systems ■ Personnel & Automatic Doors ■ Industrial Doors ■ Storefront Security OFFICE LOCATIONS MEMPHIS, TN 901.726.0810 HERNANDO, MS 662.393.3348 FLOWOOD, MS 601.956.3663 JACKSON, MS 769.230.1042 PEARL, MS 601.932.7878 BILOXI, MS 228.432.5925 One of Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms www.pickeringfirm.com 775-2143 www.dillarddoor.com Complete Security Solutions Commercial Real Estate april 2014 Pinnacle Awards 5 Pahlow Turns Early Struggles Into Successful 25-Year CRE Career Amos Maki | [email protected] Commercial Broker of the Year Scott Pahlow Position: Executive Vice President Company: Newmark Grubb Memphis Scott Pahlow Newmark Grubb Memphis W hen Scott Pahlow graduated commercial real estate broker in honor from the University of Arkanof a successful year in local real estate. sas with a business degree, “It was a really nice surprise they he wasn’t quite sure what he recognized me this year and it’s just wanted to do with the rest nice to be recognized by your peers,” of his life. said Pahlow, executive vice president of But a family friend working for Newmark Grub Memphis. Cushman & Wakefield in Los Angeles Pahlow said he wouldn’t be where invited Pahlow to the “City of Angels” he is today if the many people he’s and a passion for the business emerged. worked with over the years had not “He was nice enough to take me to given him an opportunity and helped work with him for three days,” Pahlow him grow. said. “He was doing investment sales at “I have been really fortunate that the time, selling downI was able to work for town office towers. My and with a lot of taleyes got real big. It was ented people,” Pahlow very exciting.” said. “The thing I feel Pahlow landed at most fortunate about is Cushman & Wakethat they had time for field in Memphis and, me and they believed like many beginning in me.” commercial real estate With the vast professionals, he had to amount of goods and tough out the first few companies in the field, years. Pahlow said he recog“I’ve got to tell you nized early on that he – Scott Pahlow I starved for five years,” would enjoy industrial Newmark Grubb Memphis said Pahlow, 49. “At one real estate. point I was five years “It was just interin and still living in a esting to me,” Pahlow friend’s house and my said. “There are so dad said to me one many things going on time, ‘You know, Scott, in these concrete boxes there are jobs that pay a salary.’ But I out here. You’re really involved in the just knew I wanted to do this. I saw the world economy. From Memphis, there’s potential and I just liked it.” stuff going everywhere.” Pahlow overcame those lean years Pahlow said he thoroughly enjoys and turned his love for the business tenant representation, gaining the into a successful 25-year career in comconfidence of clients and helping them mercial real estate. solve their real estate needs. Pahlow’s peers at the Memphis Area “I really enjoy tenant representaAssociation of Realtors Commercial tion because I’m really helping people Council took note and recently elected get what they want,” Pahlow said. “Inhim as the 2013 Commercial Broker of stead of persuading people my building the Year, which is given annually to a is better than somebody else’s it’s more of a consultative approach. It really is rewarding in that respect.” After leaving Cushman & Wakefield, Pahlow joined Colliers, Wilkinson and Snowden before moving to Trammel Crow Co., where Pahlow said he learned many facets of the commercial real estate business. “I went there as a leasing agent and I really learned a lot over there, the real nuts and bolts of real estate,” Pahlow said. In 2006, Pahlow joined Joe Steffner to launch the local office of the national real estate firm Grubb & Ellis. Newmark acquired Grubb & Ellis in 2012, infusing new life into the company and steadily seeking growth. “I got to get in on the ground floor on that and that was very exciting,” Pahlow said. “They’ve come to the table with a lot of money and a passion to grow the business and that’s invigorating.” Pahlow said that after suffering through several slow years the local industrial market is finally recovering from the recession. The Memphis industrial market remained in the black in 2013 with year-end net absorption of 3.2 million square feet, according to Cushman & Wakefield/Commercial Advisors. The overall market vacancy rate dropped 0.4 percentage points from the previous year to 15.1 percent. “Last year was a pretty good year,” Pahlow said. “The vacancy rates are slowly but surely coming down, the activity level is up, the pipeline is filling up and those are all good things. You can feel it. It’s coming back for sure.” Looking ahead, Pahlow said the growth of intermodal operations means the Memphis area will remain a major player in distribution, logistics and industrial development and leasing. “This has been happening over the last 10 years but it’s a major thing going forward, all the railroads have made investments in intermodal and that is really going to help this market going forward,” Pahlow said. “We are truly blessed to have all of these railroads winding through here.” CONGRATULATIONS to Brian Califf and Hank Martin “I have been really fortunate that I was able to work for and with a lot of talented people.” 2014 Pinnacle Award Winners In an ever changing real estate market, relationships, knowledge, and experience are key. NAI Saig Company’s goal is to be acknowledged as the benchmark of excellence and quality in the real estate industry. We congratulate Hank and Brian on another outstanding year. www.saigcompany.com 901-526-3100 Commercial Real Estate Services, Worldwide 6 Pinnacle Awards Commercial Real Estate april 2014 Dynamic CRE Career Yields HOF Induction for McComas Amos Maki | [email protected] D avid McComas spent three decades in commercial real estate, doing everything from establishing a national real estate department at FedEx to supporting the revival of Downtown Memphis. For his significant and lasting contributions to the industry, McComas has been inducted into the Memphis Area Association of Realtors Commercial Council Hall of Fame. “I had a pretty nice run,” said McComas, who is now enjoying retirement. “I have been privileged to work with a number of the finest firms and folks in the commercial and corporate real estate community.” Initially working in site selection for a national restaurant franchise, McComas’ commercial real estate career began when Harold Crye and Dick Leike formed a commercial real estate division in 1983. Gary Garland launched the division and Steve Woodyard and McComas joined the effort at the outset. “They made the decision to establish a commercial division and allowed us to take the lead in developing it,” McComas said. After that, McComas joined RFS Realty before linking up with Mary Singer to focus on tenant representation. In 1991, McComas became manager of FedEx’s United States real estate portfolio. At the outset, that involved only the corporate real estate “I have been privileged to work with a number of the finest firms and folks in the commercial and corporate real estate community.” – David McComas portfolio of 89 properties, which included the corporate headquarters, key corporate facilities in Memphis and 13 contact centers spread across the country. At that time FedEx had a decentralized real estate system, with local or regional managers making their own real estate decisions. By FedEx not leveraging the entirety of its expanding real estate holdings, McComas said corporate real estate costs began to soar. As McComas and others observed the cost of the FedEx real estate portfolio escalating at around 7 percent a year across the system, a decision was made to centralize the entire portfolio. The challenge was to set up a system to manage some 1,300 office, industrial and retail properties. It was eventually centralized under one roof, and managed out of Memphis with a newly formed U.S. real estate Commercial Hall of Fame Inductee David McComas group of 15 real estate agents and staff. “Building that department was a challenge and I am still very close with that group of real estate folks,” McComas said. “We made a lot of great strides and brought down a lot of costs. I was happy at FedEx and I thought I would stay at FedEx.” Then McComas’ phone rang and Henry Turley was on the other end. “Henry Turley invited me Downtown one Saturday and shared his vision for the turnaround of Downtown including Harbor Town and South Bluffs,” said McComas. “Downtown had shut down and just about turned out the lights, but Henry wasn’t having it and as a native Memphian I understood the importance of turning around Downtown.” McComas was intrigued but said he immediately recognized that the effort would require a massive undertaking – they would have to reverse deeply entrenched ideas about urban living and Downtown – and that it would be quite different from anything else he had previously worked on. “I knew it would be vastly different from anything I had previously been involved with,” McComas said. “It had some commercial components, but was largely outside my realm in commercial real estate. It was a 180-degree change for me, a total career change, but to that I credit the persuasiveness of Henry Turley.” McComas joined Turley as president of Henry Turley Realtors and vice president of real estate for the Henry Turley Co. The two oversaw the development of Harbor Town and South Bluffs and Turley’s Downtown apartment and office properties. “Those were exciting times, following Henry’s vision toward what Downtown has become today,” McComas said. “We had a real successful run and in basically four years did it all. I basically worked myself out of a job.” Having helped turn around Downtown Memphis, McComas spent one year on corporate real estate accounts for the Dallas-based commercial real estate firm Fischer and Co. and two years with CB Richard Ellis Memphis, managing the real estate portfolio of Union Planters Bank until it was absorbed by Regions Bank. McComas then joined The ServiceMaster Co. in 2003 and managed the corporate real estate portfolio of Terminix, which included around 450 facilities across the country, until he retired Dec. 30, 2013. As a hometown boy who grew up around the University of Memphis, McComas said he felt blessed to be able to be involved with the strengthening of two civic institutions – FedEx and Downtown. “The opportunity to work with FedEx was just incredible. It’s such a well-oiled machine and to be able to have an impact on it was a real honor,” said McComas. “With Downtown, it added so much to the character of Memphis and really helped pave the way for what we see today.” Like u.csom. /MemphisDailyNews facebook s. Follophwisdauily @mem Visit isudasily.news.com memph 193 Jefferson Ave. • Memphis TN 38103 • (901) 523-1561 Top 25 that I’ve worked with for a long time,” said Aiken, or Wyatt Aiken, a member of the Society chief operating ofof Industrial and Office ficer and executive Realtors and past president vice president of of the Memphis chapter. Cushman & Wake“The industrial market has field/Commercial Advisors come back more strongly LLC, the best part of workas a whole. I think both ing in the commercial real sectors are in very moderestate industry is serving ate expansion mode as far his clients well and estabas space being leased and Aiken Cushman & Wakefield/ lishing long-term relationbuildings being bought.” Commercial Advisors LLC The East Memphis ships. office market and DeSoto Now with 31 years of experience in the industry, Aiken County industrial markets were the specializes in working with corporate most active for Aiken last year, and acclients, helping them with both their tivity was also encouraging Downtown office and industrial needs. and in the Tenn. 385 corridor. “I handled about the same number “Helping our firm to grow last year of office and industrial transactions was the thing I’m most proud of,” said Aiken, who is one of the founding during 2013, and most were with clients Michael Waddell Special to The Daily News F brokers of Cushman & Wakefield/Commercial Advisors. The firm today handles leasing and management assignments totaling more than 23 million square feet of office, retail and industrial properties. Aiken began his real estate career in the 1980s as a leasing agent and marketing principal for Trammell Crow Co. after graduating with his master’s degree from Tulane University School of Business. He formed Commercial Advisors (then called Commercial Tennessee) with partner Larry Jensen in Top 25 Wyatt Aiken Position: Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer Company: Cushman & Wakefield/ Commercial Advisors LLC 1992. They changed the business’ name in 2002 and then aligned with Cushman & Wakefield when they returned to the market. Prior to helping to form Cushman & Wakefield/Commercial Advisors, Aiken worked as director and branch manager with Cushman & Wakefield, which had exited the market in the early 1990s only to return more than a decade later. Away from the office, Aiken stays active with his church and his family, including his wife of 33 years, Tricia, and their three grown children. Commercial Real Estate april 2014 Pinnacle Awards 7 Loeb’s Square Efforts Earn Community Impact Award Amos Maki | [email protected] W hen Sooner Development Co. proposed razing buildings at Overton Square to replace them with a cookie-cutter, suburban style strip center, residents, preservationists and folks with a sentimental attachment to the Midtown institution drove the company out of town. Then a longtime local firm, Loeb Properties, stepped in with an ambitious plan to breathe new life into “The Square,” one that preserved and honored the past while charting a course for a brighter, more sustainable future. Today, the once-struggling district is teeming with merchants, shoppers, diners and, most importantly, hope, which was in such short supply just a few years ago. Because of this, the rejuvenated Overton Square has been given the 2013 Memphis Area Association of Realtors Commercial Council 2013 Community Impact Award. “We hoped we could do something positive for the community, something people would respond to and be proud of,” said Loeb Properties president Bob Loeb. Overton Square’s comeback made a big impact on the local retail market last year. The Memphis area retail market recorded 346,846 square feet of net absorption in 2013 and Overton Square leases and purchases accounted for more than 125,000 square feet of transactions, according to CB Richard Ellis Memphis. Overton Square is now 91 percent leased. Loeb said Memphians’ deeply rooted affinity for Overton Square, often spanning two or three generations, has helped fuel the endeavor’s success. “When we got started on it initially we knew there was a lot of goodwill built up around Overton Square in the marketplace,” Loeb said. “We had a lot of stakeholders who were encouraging us and supporting us and as we started Community Impact Award Overton Square Loeb Properties to get into it we found a wide range of people who had a sentimental attachment to Overton Square and wanted to see it succeed. What we’ve found is that that goodwill element was stronger than we could have measured on the front end.” Loeb, which is investing more than $20 million to bring Overton Square back to life as a theater, arts and entertainment district, implemented a retail strategy to draw more daytime foot traffic to the area to support the already established nighttime restaurant and entertainment scene. “We were determined to make it not just a nighttime entertainment district,” Loeb said. “We wanted to activate it during the day. We could have leased it up earlier with all restaurants but we had a deliberate strategy to recruit retailers to bring in daytime traffic. We love the traffic they bring.” Loeb has emphasized attracting locally owned businesses as another way of establishing deeper roots between Overton Square and the city. “We had built our career on working with local tenants and we had a good sense that we could – if we cleaned it up and fixed it up – welcome people back in and merchants and the city would Overton Square embrace it,” said Loeb. He said the Overton Square redevelopment project was a perfect fit for the company, which had a long history of acquiring and improving smaller retail centers and stand-alone buildings. “This was just a number of rehabs congregated in one district and that’s how we approached it,” Loeb said. In redesigning Overton Square, Loeb officials and LRK Inc. planners paid special attention to making the area more inviting for pedestrians and activating common spaces like the city-funded parking garage and a new courtyard. This year, Loeb will increase programming at Overton Square, bringing in farmers and artists markets and other special events. “We’re about half-way there with tenant delivery,” Loeb said. “This year is the year we’ll start adding our programming and we’re going to have programming on a regular basis. It’s programming that keeps people coming back.” Loeb Properties has installed public art throughout Overton Square to help create a distinct identity and foster more intimate, personal connections with visitors. Examples include large murals that now adorn the former Palm Court building, a towering sculpture hovers over the intersection of Cooper Street and Madison Avenue, and a large arch helps guide visitors leaving the parking garage to the heart of the district. “We knew we wanted to have Overton Square be a fusion of authentic Memphis arts,” Loeb said. “I think it’s brought personality and energy to it.” While he said he was a little surprised that the project became so successful so quickly, Loeb said he knew the effort would have broad-based community support and that the community’s passion for the project fuels every decision the company makes. “It’s coming along better than we originally hoped,” he said. “It’s taken an enormous amount of energy and attention and time, but because of all the support we’ve received it’s motivated us to be our best and produce something we can be proud of and the community can be proud of it.” Top 25 Michael Waddell Special to The Daily News T ommy Bronson III, senior vice president of the multifamily division of CB Richard Ellis Memphis, has been involved in the acquisition, disposition and investment of commercial and residential real estate in the Mid-South for more than a decade. Since 2005 when he joined CBRE, he has sold 30,000 multifamily units totaling more than $1.3 billion. “The rewards of commercial real estate – from the personal client relationships to the intricacies of a deal to see- Mississippi Gulf ing a transaction Coast. through to the “2013 was anfinish line – can be other strong year very gratifying,” in the Memphis Bronson said. “You multifamily marare always faced ket, as sales were with new and in line with recent unique challenges years in terms of in this business number of transand helping actions and total clients overcome Bronson III volume,” Bronson these challenges is CB Richard Ellis Memphis LLC said. “Class A locaalways a motivattions in suburban ing factor.” and Downtown submarkets Bronson, a native Memonce again accounted for the phian, is responsible for the bulk of transactional volbrokerage of multifamily real ume, and we saw some great estate across the Mid-South, price per unit sales in these including Memphis; Jackson, locations.” Miss.; Little Rock, Ark.; and the Significant we continue to see accomplishments new capital coming last year for his to Memphis from team included all parts of the closing on the country.” Country Squire Bronson is a and Riverset licensed affiliate Top 25 properties, which broker in Tennestotaled nearly see, Mississippi and Tommy 1,500 units. Alabama, and he “Both preholds memberships Bronson III sented great in the Memphis Position: opportunities Area Association of Senior Vice President to add value to Realtors, ApartCompany: older properment Association of CB Richard Ellis Memphis ties,” Bronson Greater Memphis, said. “Value-add Tennessee Apartopportunities ment Association and the National Apartment continue to be sought after Association. throughout the market, and 8 Pinnacle Awards Commercial Real Estate april 2014 ‘Grinding Out Deals’ Lands Argiro Inaugural Award Amos Maki | [email protected] Grit-n-Grind Broker of the Year Tony Argiro Position: Senior Leasing Representative Company: Highwoods Properties Inc. Tony Argiro Highwoods Properties Inc. W hen Memphis Area Association of Realtors Commercial Council members were considering a name for a new Pinnacle Award recognizing the broker who completed the most sales and leasing transactions regardless of size or category type, the Memphis Grizzlies immediately came to mind. The Grizzlies’ blue-collar, come to work every day style of play led the Commercial Council to name the honor the Grit-n-Grind Broker of the Year award. “It’s part of the continuing revamping of the awards and we wanted to come up with awards that had more meaning,” said Tony Argiro, senior leasing representative with Highwoods Properties Inc. and co-chairman of the Pinnacle Awards. “It’s the perfect name for this award.” Well, it turns out Argiro, 37, got his grind on, so to speak, in 2013 and for his efforts will take home the inaugural Grizzlies-themed award. “We were just grinding out deals, working, working, working,” Argiro said. Argiro was quick to deflect attention and shower praise on his Highwoods partners, including Steve Guinn and John Mercer. “I’m fortunate to have good mentors,” Argiro said. “They’ve been very successful in this business for a long time.” Similar to the Grizzlies, who rely on total team effort instead of one or two superstars, Argiro said the whole Highwoods roster helped propel the Memphis office to a strong year. “You don’t work on the number of projects I worked on by yourself,” he said. “We have a lot of people doing a lot of things to make Highwoods successful. The approach we take at Highwoods is we want companies and customers to come to our buildings and feel comfortable with us. That’s partners at Highwoods also remained focused on resigning existing tenants, an important task in a market that is not experiencing a large influx of new white-collar jobs. “If you’re not bringing in new business then you have to grow what you’ve got,” he said. “There was a lot of focus on keeping the customers we have, keeping them in our building and not allowing them to go somewhere else. You kind of pride yourself on not allowing people to leave you.” After graduating from Christian Brothers University in 1999, Argiro worked at the Greater Memphis Chamber for over three years before entering the commercial real estate world. He started with the Walker Cos. before moving to CB Richard Ellis Memphis and then the Staubach Co. Argiro then moved to a small Memphis development firm just before the economy crashed. In October 2009, Argiro said his boss approached him, holding back tears, and said he might not be able to pay Argiro in another few weeks. Like so many others, Argiro’s livelihood was in doubt. “The first phone call I made was to Steve (Guinn),” Argiro said. “It’s a night-and-day difference from that world to where I am today. After going through all that I feel very fortunate to be here at Highwoods.” really our goal, to fill up our buildings and make our customers happy.” Argiro said he still gets a thrill from seeing the economic ripples that expand from company expansions or relocations, watching a formerly shuttered space come to life and the work that provides for architects, interior designers, contractors and others. “Every single lease we sign at Highwoods has a short-term impact and a long-term impact,” Argiro said. “When it hits home is when you see – and it doesn’t matter if it’s a 1,000-squarefoot office user or a 10,000-square-foot user – the architecture firms involved, the contractors involved, and you walk into a suite that was dark and you see 10 or 15 people at work. That’s when you really see the importance of commercial real estate in general. Even if it’s a renewal with an existing company you see how many lives are impacted by it.” After suffering through one of the most depressed periods for the commercial real estate industry in history, Argiro said the recovery of the Memphis office market and the desire to keep existing tenants helped increase his work flow in 2013. The Memphis office market, buoyed by an unusually strong fourth quarter, ended 2013 with positive net absorption of 40,558 square feet, according to CB Richard Ellis Memphis. The vacancy rate for Class A space in the highly coveted East Memphis submarket, where the city’s prime office properties are located, dipped to 5.4 percent by the end of 2013, which amounts to around 143,947 square feet of available space. Highwoods owns several of the most coveted properties, including the Crescent Center and the three Triad Centre buildings. “That Class A space on the Poplar corridor in East Memphis is going pretty quick,” Argiro said. “The overall office market is recovering. It’s a slow recovery but it’s recovering.” While they did seek out new leases and relocations, Argiro said he and his “I’m fortunate to have good mentors. They’ve been very successful in this business for a long time.” – Tony Argiro Highwoods Properties Inc. Summit Truck Group is the name of the newly merged Diamond International and Roberts Truck Center dealerships 29 Locations | 26 Markets | 7 States 1750 E. Brooks Rd., Memphis, TN • 901-345-6275 • www.summittruckgroup.com Commercial Real Estate april 2014 Pinnacle Awards 9 Woodyard’s Long-Term Focus on Multifamily Pays Off Amos Maki | [email protected] S teve Woodyard grew up in nearby Helena, Ark., but Memphis was never far from his mind. “As teenagers we certainly snuck up here a lot for the concerts and all the fun opportunities,” Woodyard said with a laugh. After graduating from the University of Mississippi, Woodyard settled in Memphis and began his career in commercial real estate in 1984, working in the investment division at Crye-Leike Commercial. Woodyard said he quickly realized that he wanted to specialize in one sector of the commercial real estate spectrum – the multifamily market. “Starting off back in 1984, straight out of college, the commercial real estate business is a wide-open field with a lot of categories I could choose from and I just decided I wanted to do one thing really well,” said Woodyard, founder and owner of Memphis-based Woodyard Realty Corp. Woodyard’s long-term focus on the multifamily sector has paid off. Woodyard has garnered the Memphis Area Association of Realtors Commercial Council’s inaugural Pinnacle Award for Local Firm Broker of the Year, given to the top-producing broker based on dollar volume associated with lease transactions and/or investment sales from an individual not affiliated with a national firm. In the past, Woodyard has also won the Apartment Broker of the Year award and has been a Life Member of MAAR’s Multi-Million Dollar Club since the 1990s. However, Woodyard seems to be most proud of two brokers in his firm, Lea Heilig and Courtney Barnes, winning the New Commercial Broker of the Year Award in back-to-back years several years ago. After working for CryeLeike Commercial and then RFS Realty, Woodyard formed Woodyard Realty Corp. in 1998. Starting his own commercial real estate firm turned out to be a seamless transition, Woodyard said. “In the real estate business you essentially do (own your own business) even if you fly a different banner,” Woodyard said. “It just went from one name on the letter to another. I was doing exactly the same thing with exactly the same people.” Woodyard said one of his favorite aspects of specializing in the multifamily sector is forming relationships with investors, especially those who might not have a background in real estate or finance. “It gives the normal, average investor the opportunity to improve their financial well-being,” Woodyard said. “That’s the part that gets me excited. It’s something the common person can come in and buy and doing very well with.” Woodyard said the multifamily market remains a great vehicle for wealth creation. “I just think multifamily is the best opportunity to provide retirement income,” he said. “I have clients and they’re out traveling and having fun and they’ve got their investments working for them instead of working for their investments.” Woodyard said the local multifamily market is experiencing a surge following a few slower-than-normal years after the onset of the recession. “Our market peaked on the multifamily side around 2006 or 2007, and from 2008 to 2010 we were on a downward trend pretty fast and we prob- Steve Woodyard Woodyard Realty Corp. ably hit close to bottom in 2010,” Woodyard said. “While those were all very good years from the sales side, it wasn’t the volume of transactions that we had from 2000 to 2006.” The Memphis market had $55 million in multifamily sales in 2010. That increased to $323 million in 2012 before dipping to around $239 million last year. Rents and occupancy have also been on a steady climb since 2010. Average rent increased from $693 in 2010 to $748 in 2013. Occupancy rose from 90 percent in 2010 to 92 percent in 2013. Properties built in the 1990s and later continue to attract strong interest and properties built earlier in wellpositioned areas that have a potential for repositioning remain attractive. Woodyard said one of the biggest local real estate opportunities for investors is purchasing older apartment communities and upgrading them. “There’s a lot of potential left in the older-generation properties,” Woodyard said. “There are huge opportunities to come in and swoop those up. “Through all submarkets where there are distressed properties, the non-distressed properties have high occupancies. What that is telling us is if you fix them up the people will come.” But Woodyard said those properties may not be available Local Firm for much lonBroker ger as more and of the Year more people are looking to invest Steve Woodyard in multifamily Position: properties. President “We’ve got another two to Company: Woodyard Realty Corp. three years to come in and get these valueadd properties,” Woodyard said. “After that, they will be much harder to find.” Top 25 “They’ve always encouraged me with rian Califf, broker real estate, then I finally associate with figured out that I liked NAI/Saig Co., does it and I majored in it in “a little bit of evcollege,” said Califf, a erything,” he says. Florida State University While he handles some graduate. representation of tenants Last year was his best in leases and sales, his year so far in commermain focus is on landlord cial real estate as far as a Califf and buyer representation combination of sales and NAI Saig. Co. for properties that have leasing goes. He says he personincome. These include ofally saw the most activity since 2005 fice buildings, industrial buildings and retail centers that have tenants in place when the real estate market was and a proven cash flow. at a peak. Now in his ninth year, real es“It seems like financing has loostate is a family business for Califf ened up in the market, so it was a little – his grandfather was a real estate bit easier for people to secure a loan on appraiser and his father is a closinvestment property or all property for that matter,” he said. ing attorney. Richard J. Alley Special to The Daily News B done. We’ve got a lot in the “And it seems like the pipeline, but it looks posibuyers are tired of sittive from what we’re seeing ting around waiting and as far as new investments they’re starting to look coming into the market. for some places to spend We’re seeing a lot of outall the cash that they’ve of-town people are buying had parked on the sidebuildings that have never line since the economy Top 25 bought in Memphis before, crashed.” which is always positive for Califf saw a slowdown Brian Califf the city.” from 2009 until late 2010. Position: Califf covers a terriDeals were still to be had, Executive Vice President tory that includes DeSoto though the volume had Company: County, Jackson, Tenn., decreased due to the econNAI Saig. Co. omy and a more tentative and all of Memphis. With wait-and-see approach all of these areas growing, from buyers. it keeps things interesting “It’s looking good (for 2014),” in the commercial real estate world. he said. “I enjoy it a lot and hopefully will “We’ve seen a lot of activity to start continue doing it,” he said. “Every the year off. Obviously you can’t say deal has its challenges, but that’s what 100 percent until you get some deals makes this exciting.” 10 Pinnacle Awards Commercial Real Estate april 2014 Murchison Has ‘One of Best Years’ in CRE Richard J. Alley | Special to The Daily News T he leader of the industrial assets services leasing team for CB Richard Ellis Memphis, Brad Murchison specializes in landlord representation and is responsible for the oversight of the team, which consists of agent Bryce Daves as well. Now in his 10th year in the industry, Murchison is the 2013 Industrial Landlord Representative Broker of the Year. Murchison is a native Memphian who attended the University of Memphis, where his initiation into the world of commercial real estate was more fluke than plan. “I was in my sophomore year of business school and, as part of our curriculum, I had to take a couple of elective courses and saw one for principles of real estate and signed up for it,” he said. “Kind of like everybody else, I thought I wanted to go into marketing or accounting or finance, and I took the real estate class and I was like ‘you know, I really like this’ and wanted to explore it further. I signed up for a couple more classes and, before I knew it, I was graduating with a real estate degree.” He began his career as an intern for CBRE in 2004. Upon graduating he began full time on the retail side before transitioning into industrial two years later. “I was very thankful that I at least had a job, but as I really got into it and cut my teeth on the retail side, did a lot of work with our team, and there was an opportunity for me to move over and fill a gap on the industrial side.” Making such a move was very much more planning than fluke, proving that Murchison had studied the markets and knew where he wanted to 2013 Pinnacle Awards Program Agenda make his mark. “We are considered America’s Distribution Center, and with the companies that are based here, the airport we have, FedEx is based here, I kind of made that jump thinking this is what this town is about, we’re about warehousing and distribution,” he said. “I felt like making that switch was good and I really haven’t looked back.” Clients today include Prologis, Industrial Income Trust, DCT Industrial Trust, New York Life Insurance Co., Augustus Holdings and Invesco Real Estate. “Last year was a good year; we had several deals that had been in the works for a long time that we were able to get to the closing table in 2013, which gave me the opportunity to have one of my best years in commercial real estate,” he said. “We had clients that were actively negotiating these deals along with us, you’re talking a couple of these took 12 to 18 months to materialize, and they all came together in 2013.” Some of those deals include a 285,000-square-foot lease by DCT Industrial, an 812,000-square-foot with Triyar and a 600,000-square-foot lease with Carter & Associates. “The larger they get, the longer the deal cycle is,” he said. “We had a couple of those deals in the 600,000to 800,000-square-foot range that we were able to close in 2013, they were part of that 12- to 18-month deal cycle.” The Memphis market has roughly 214 million square feet of industrial space, with about 96 million of that footage in Southeast Shelby County. The 9 million to 10 million represented by CBRE, Murchison said, is located in that submarket. EMCEE Tanis Hackmeyer MAAR Commercial Council President PINNACLE PRODUCERS CLUB PINNACLE PRODUCERS CLUB LIFE MEMBERS COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARD Loeb Properties – Overton Square TOP 25 PRODUCERS There has already been a lot of activity in the commercial real estate market for 2014, and it has Murchison excited for the upcoming year. “We have spent a lot of time early on this year showing a lot of properties, responding to multiple requests for proposals. We’re seeing activity mainly in the square footages of 250,000 square feet and below. “Still some activity in what we call the bulk industrial segment, but most of our time this year has been spent chasing the deals that are between as small as 25,000 square feet and up into that 150,000- to 200,000-square-foot range has been the brunt of our activity thus far this year.” When not showing some of the most massive warehousing around to clients, Murchison enjoys family time with his wife, Allyson, and their two children, Lila, 5, and Colin, 3. “I really enjoy spending time with family and all of the amenities Memphis has to offer,” Murchison said. He also enjoys outdoor activities such as golf and hunting. “Summer months I’m playing around the golf course,” he said. “Winter months I’m traditionally running around the Mississippi Delta chasing a bunch of ducks.” Murchison, 32, is director of the MAAR Commercial Council and will be vice president in 2015, and is going through the New Memphis Institute Fellows Program. He has previously been recognized by MAAR in 2007, 2008 and 2011. Industrial Landlord Broker of the Year Brad Murchison Position: Vice President Company: CB Richard Ellis Memphis Brad Murchison CB Richard Ellis Memphis LLC BROKERS OF THE YEAR Investment Sales Industrial Investment Sales Office Investment Sales Retail Investment Sales Multifamily Industrial Landlord Representative Industrial Tenant Representative Land Retail Landlord Representative Retail Tenant Representative Office Landlord Representative Office Tenant Representative Grit & Grind Local Firm COMMERCIAL BROKER OF THE YEAR Scott Pahlow Newmark Grubb Memphis COMMERCIAL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE Dave McComas retired Commercial Real Estate april 2014 Top 25 body coming here new and taking a significant amount s part of the team of space off the market that brokered the because they’re moving to deal in 2013 for Memphis, and we haven’t Wright Medical’s seen that in five years or move to its new more,” he said. “It’s a good 122,653-square-foot headindication that Memphis is quarters on Cherry Road being looked at by compain the heart of the city, nies in other markets, and Ron Kastner, senior vice that’s what fuels a local Kastner president for CB Richard office market’s growth is CB Richard Ellis Memphis LLC Ellis, had a very good year the absorption by not preindeed. existing companies.” This move by Wright, As recent as three recently purchased by Miyears ago the typical croPort and broken into Memphis user of office two companies, was a big space, those occupying portion of the absorption 5,000 square feet or so, seen in the fourth quarter. was absent in the market, Other deals in that final Kastner says. quarter included 27,055 “They were not doing Top 25 square feet by Financial anything but ducking and Federal in the Renaiscovering still” following Ron Kastner sance Center, and Trustthe economy’s decline, he Position: mark Bank with 12,622 said. Senior Vice President square feet on Poplar “I will say that in 2013 Avenue. and 2014, that user is a Company: CB Richard Ellis Memphis “Memphis needed a little bit more confident, shot in the arm,” Kastner is no longer decreasing its said. “Last year we all looked back at it workforce and, in fact, maybe even addas being a return of some of the fundaing to its workforce. mentals that drove some prior years of “That’s what fuels space being good absorption.” absorbed – existing companies needing Another shot began in 2013 with more room because they’re hiring more the commitment from Conduit Global people.” to bring 1,000 jobs to the Memphis Kastner looks to the future and a market. trend of more out-of-state companies “That’s a good example of somerelocating to Memphis. Richard J. Alley Special to The Daily News A Pinnacle Awards Rise Above Through our culture of service excellence and a shared sense of initiative, Colliers International combines global resources with local market knowledge and experience to rise above our clients’ expectations time and again. Asset Services Brad Kornegay Industrial Top 25 Producer 2013 Pinnacle Award Winners J. Hickman Industrial Pinnacle Producers Club Ron Riley Office Pinnacle Producers Club Tim Mashburn Industrial Pinnacle Producers Club Laura P. Taylor Office Pinnacle Producers Club 901 375 4800 www.colliers.com/memphis For a bank that means business, come to Trustmark Bank, one of the South’s oldest and strongest financial institutions. Trustmark combines the strength of a regional financial institution with the personal touch of a neighborhood bank. To see how this combination can help your business grow, visit one of our 17 Memphis-area locations or call 901-309-8309 today. THE RIGHT BANK FOR yOuR BusINEss. MAKE TRusTMARK yOuR PARTNER. People you trust. Advice that works. Member FDIC trustmark.com 11 12 Pinnacle Awards Commercial Real Estate april 2014 Top 25 small users. “In the first quarter of rad Kornegay, 2014, we’ve enjoyed the president and CEO best activity we’ve had in of asset services for the past four or five years,” Colliers Internasaid Kornegay, who began tional in Memphis, working with Trammell loves the art of making a Crow in 1992 and ran the deal, and his team’s produccompany’s industrial divition last year was buoyed sion – the largest in the city by an influx of transactions during that time – for eight Kornegay with smaller users. years before leaving to join Colliers International Asset “Last year our smaller Colliers in 2004. Services activity from momSince then his Coland-pop businesses and liers team has grown from regional companies was six employees to 40, and fairly active, but we were Kornegay now oversees the not seeing many deals from leasing and management larger, corporate playof more than 33 million ers,” said Kornegay, whose square feet spanning apspecialty during his 22-plus proximately 300 buildings years in the industry has and nearly 500 tenants in always been with industrial industrial, office and retail Top 25 properties. “Overall in the space. market I think lease and “The biggest accomBrad Kornegay transaction volumes were plishment for me and our Position: down in 2013 compared to company from last year President past years.” is that we grew our office Company: Sizeable deals last portfolio to more than 1 Colliers International year for Kornegay and million square feet,” he said. Asset Services his team included lining In his career, he has up 382,000 square feet of completed more than 720 space in Olive Branch for Bizchair, as lease transactions totaling more than well as handling a 550,000-square-foot 52.5 million square feet and in excess of build-to-suit project in Southaven for $853 million. Gemco Lamp. With two teenage children, KoLuckily, this year activity has rnegay and his wife, Betty, stay picked up in a big way from large and very active. Michael Waddell Special to The Daily News B Top 25 Producers Brian Califf, CCIM Blake Pera, CCIM Preston Thomas, CCIM Steve Guinn, CCIM Andrew Phillips, CCIM Kelly Truitt, CCIM 2013 Pinnacle Producers Club Jon Albright, CCIM Cathy Anderson, CCIM Bill Caller Dave Curan, Jr., CCIM Frank Dyer III, CCIM Rosemarie Fair, CCIM Jeb Fields, CCIM Tanis Hackmeyer, CCIM Mark Jenkins, CCIM Shawn Massey, CCIM Terry Radford, CCIM Ed Thomas, CCIM Conner Walker Matt Weathersby, CCIM Allen Wilkinson, CCIM Excellence in Commercial Real Estate Commercial Real Estate Pinnacle Awards april 2014 Top 25 “That goes for the Special to The Daily News tenant side and the invesank Martin, vice tor side,” he said. “The president at NAI investors that were in this Saig Co., has market two to three years always handled ago have mostly sold out deals involving the market, and in the last a variety of commercial year we’ve seen some new property types – office, investors starting to branch industrial and retail – but out and come back to this the bulk of the work during market as a viable place to Martin his career has involved pick up some portfolios or NAI Saig Co. industrial. This past year buildings.” 70 percent or more of the Martin is most deals he completed were proud of completing for industrial properties. deals like the one for a “We’ve had a long road 600,000-square-foot into get back to positive dustrial building that Proabsorption in the indusLogis sold to an unnamed trial market, and last year East Coast buyer. was a pretty good year “The positive from for that absorption,” said that deal was that the Top 25 Martin, who has worked buyer had not been in this in the commercial real market before. He had Hank Martin estate business since 1996. been looking for the right Position: “I’m cautiously optimistic. deal for a couple of years, Vice President From the end of last year and he felt like this oppormoving into this year we tunity was a good buildCompany: NAI Saig Co. are seeing more activity.” ing at an attractive price In his career, Martin that would provide a nice has been responsible for return for him,” he said. the sale, leasing, and/or disposition of Martin is the president of the Memmore than 20 million square feet of phis chapter of the Society of Industrial industrial and office facilities in the and Office Realtors, and he is a member Mid-South. He is happy to see expanof the National Association of Realtors, sion happening from businesses taking Memphis Area Association of Realtors, more space, as well as new companies and the Memphis Chapter Commercial entering the market. Investment Real Estate Institute. Michael Waddell H CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS CONGRATULATIONS JOHN MERCER, JOHN JOHNMERCER MERCER AND AND TONY ARGIRO AND TONY TONYARGIRO ARGIRO STEVE GUINN 2012 2012 PINNACLE PINNACLE AWARD AWARD WINNERS WINNERS 2013 PINNACLE AWARD WINNERS We’ve We’ve always always known known that that JohnJohn and and TonyTony are top are commercial top commercial real real estate estate brokers. brokers. NowNow everyone everyone elseelse knows, knows, too. too. Congratulations Congratulations We’ve always known that John, Tony and Steve are top to John, to John, TonyTony and and all the all other the other honorees honorees selected selected by the by MAAR the MAAR commercial real estate brokers. Now everyone else knows, Commercial Commercial Council. Council. too. Congratulations to John, Tony, Steve and all the other honorees selected by the MAAR Commercial Council. D E V ED LO EV PE MLEONPTM•E N AC T Q• UAI S C IQT U I OI SNI T•I O LN E A•S ILNE G A S•I N AG S S•E T A SMS AE N T AMGAE N MAEGNETM E N T DEVELOPMENT • ACQUISITION • LEASING • ASSET MANAGEMENT A Pinnacle Award-Winning Team Top 25 Andy Cates, SIOR Andrew Phillips, SIOR, CCIM Brad Kornegay Preston Thomas, SIOR New Lifetime Member 2013 Broker of the Year Investment Sales Retail Producers Club J. Hickman Tim Mashburn Ron Riley Laura Taylor Ed Thomas, CCIM Allen Wilkinson, SIOR, CCIM Reach the pinnacle We know it’s all about location, location, location. And setting your sights on the next move. Our awardwinning team at Colliers International in Memphis has the real estate expertise and strength to lead you into new territory locally or around the world – taking you to new heights. www.colliers.com/memphis | 901.375.4800 13 Pinnacle Awards 14 Commercial Real Estate april 2014 Top 25 Top 25 I got in it was really contagious, the excitement of entley Pembroke, the day-to-day challenges vice president with and working on all of these Cushman & Waketransactions. You never field/Commercial really know what to expect, Advisors Asset it’s not the same thing day Services LLC, was raised in and day out; its been a lot in Memphis and attended of fun, I just really enjoy it.” Christian Brothers High Pembroke began with School and the University Commercial Advisors in Pembroke of Mississippi. 2005 and focuses on landCushman & Wakefield/ It was while at college lord representation of office Commercial Advisors that he studied marketbuildings. Asset Services LLC ing and set his course for “It definitely was a a career in advertising. good year last year,” he The harsh winds of reality said. While not wanting would change that course. to single out a specific “I thought I wanted client, he says, “I’m the to go into the account most appreciative of my management side of landlord clients that have advertising,” he said. “I got instilled their trust in me into that industry and just over the years. … Our ofTop 25 realized quickly that it just fice portfolio is a little over wasn’t a right fit for me 2 million-square feet, and Bentley long term.” just having multiple buildPembroke He quickly got out, ings and multiple subPosition: networked, talked to some markets has really been Vice President industry leaders in the fortunate.” Company: commercial real estate He sees that good forCushman & Wakefield/ market and was hooked. tune spreading throughout Commercial Advisors “There’s just some2014, feeding off that exAsset Services LLC thing about the commercitement he saw in others cial real estate guys that early on, and hopes for just had a general enthusimore growth in job rates asm for what they did,” he said. “That’s and the economy in general to spur the what drew me to the business and, once growth in the office market. companies growing. There was a cycle there where ichael Moreverybody was contractgan, senior ing, everybody was getting associate with smaller and it’s certainly CB Richard nice to go through a cycle Ellis Memphis, where you’re seeing and works on a three-man hearing about organic team with Kelly Truitt and growth, which presents Pat Gamble specializing in a lot of opportunities for office tenant representaus to help move tenants tion. around, whether it be at Morgan CB Richard Ellis Memphis LLC Morgan attended their existing locations Southern Methodist Unior in other buildings elseversity for a bachelor’s where.” degree in public affairs It’s that sort of growth and crisis management. that keeps real estate In the industry for 10 professionals reaching and years, all with CBRE, he looking to the next year. said he knew all along “We’re off to a little it was the career for bit of a slow start, but the him. The work is in his phone is ringing and we’re blood. optimistic that we’ll have “My dad was a real another successful year Top 25 estate developer and I this year,” Morgan said of always had an eye on 2014. Michael Morgan real estate,” Morgan said. Morgan is a recent Position: Clients include graduate of the New Senior Associate Sedgwick CMS, ALSAC/ Memphis Institute. He also Company: St. Jude, Vitro America, received a MAAR Pinnacle CB Richard Ellis Memphis Harrah’s Entertainaward in 2009, 2011 and ment, Inventory Locator 2012, and credits his CBRE Services and Duncancolleagues, Truitt and Williams Inc. Gamble, and the synergy Regarding 2013, Morgan said that they all have together, with much of “Last year was a good year, we’re that success. continuing to see momentum and “We truly are a team,” he said. Richard J. Alley Richard J. Alley Special to The Daily News Special to The Daily News B M Top 25 Insight Value Knowledge Congratulations to Russ Westlake and Jack Wohrman for another award winning year! Experience Expertise Teamwork A world of expertise built around you Whatever your assets, needs or aspirations, our in-depth local knowledge and far-reaching global insight will help you succeed with the real estate opportunities that are perfect for you. Find out how we can drive results for your organization, visit www.jll.com/tennessee in Southeast Memphis, a corporate headquarters reston Thomas Jr., and distribution center for vice president of client Dufresne Spencer Industrial SerGroup, the local Ashley Furvices for Colliers niture licensee. In addition, International, he sold several large indusmoved from his hometrial facilities in Northern town of Greenwood, Miss., Mississippi for other clients. to Memphis for reasons of With the success of the past logistics. seven years, Thomas has a Thomas Jr. Both to be near his sunny outlook for 2014. Colliers International girlfriend living in Oxford “I think this year could and his hunting camp in be better than last year, it’s the Mississippi Delta, and going to be a great year,” for the opportunity to he said. “There are a lot of work within the logistics great things happening in community selling and the Memphis market. … leasing warehouses for We’re working on several Colliers. nice-sized projects that will The buyer and tenant hopefully positively impact representative began with the market.” Top 25 the company in 2006 and Thomas was a Top a year later partnered with 10 Young Memphis BusiPreston Andy Cates. ness Recipient for 2012; Thomas Jr. “We’ve been an inreceived the CoStar Power Position: dustrial real estate team Broker Award for Industrial Vice President of since 2007,” Thomas said. Leasing, 2007-2011; and Industrial Services “Our business has been was named to the MAAR Company: growing ever since I Pinnacle Producer’s Club Colliers International started working at Colliers, in 2011. Over these years, probably 100 percent year though, he’s learned there after year.” is no resting on one’s laurels. The Last year follows that trajectory, name of the real estate game is to keep having been his best year ever in the inmoving forward and to stay in close dustry, due in large part to the purchase communication with clients’ needs of a 225,000-square-foot warehouse and their growth. Richard J. Alley Special to The Daily News P Commercial Real Estate april 2014 Pinnacle Awards 15 ‘Odd Jobs’ Yield CRE Success for Westlake Michael Waddell | Special to The Daily News R ussell Westlake, managing director at Jones Lang LaSalle, originally thought he wanted to be an architect instead of a commercial real estate professional, since he had always been interested in the architectural styles of various property types. He had a close family friend who was very successful in the commercial real estate industry and felt that it was something he would enjoy. “As result, I began working odd jobs with commercial real estate firms as early as high school and knew by my college years that this was what I wanted to pursue,” Westlake said. Westlake now counts more than 30 years of diversified experience in general brokerage, tenant representation, agency representation, asset management and development, having successfully negotiated more than 35 million square feet of office and industrial lease and sale transactions totaling in excess of $750 million. Westlake’s achievements last year netted him 2013 Industrial Lease Tenant Broker of the Year honors. He works primarily in the office and industrial sectors, but over the years his production has been a little more heavily weighted toward industrial. “Frankly, I like the unique challenges of both office and industrial opportunities and feel very fortunate to be in a position to work with each sector,” he said. Westlake’s background has included tenant representation, corporate transaction management, development and project leasing. “I’ve had some great opportunities over the years and am very glad that position at the Weston Cos. brought me to Memphis 23 years ago,” said Westlake, who credits David Peck as a mentor who taught him about the busi- ness and the importance of attention to detail and customer service. “I feel very fortunate to be a part of JLL,” Westlake said. “My association with JLL has allowed me opportunities I never would have had without having access to such a deep and robust platform.” Westlake classifies the 2013 industrial market in Memphis as improved in all areas. “Build-to-suit and speculative development have picked up after an extended period of inactivity,” Westlake said. “In addition to strong activity within the distribution side, recent local manufacturing successes and expansions such as Mitsubishi, Electrolux and Nucor are particularly refreshing.” Looking back on 2013, Westlake counts several major accomplishments, such as working with colleagues at JLL to gain the opportunity to work with FedEx as a client in a transaction management capacity. He believes Memphis is very well positioned to continue to see significant industrial growth, thanks to a combination of the area’s central geographical location, the significant growth of e-commerce, proximity and convenience to the FedEx World Hub, and the strong transportation offering of rail, river, runway and road. “Fortunately, being located along the nation’s third-busiest trucking corridor and our ability to offer service from five Class 1 railroads makes the area particularly accessible,” he said. “The railroads’ ability to see the bright future for industrial growth in our area is further confirmed and endorsed by their recent investment in excess of $500 million in infrastructure in the Mid-South region.” In addition to focusing on Memphis, he believes it is important to continue to view the local market from Industrial Lease Tenant Broker of the Year Russell Westlake Position: Managing Director Company: Jones Lang LaSalle Russell Westlake Jones Lang LaSalle a larger metro market perspective. “While there was favorable industrial activity in the Southeast submarket of Memphis, including the sizable leases with TJ Maxx and Bryce Corp., much of the industrial activity from a development and absorption perspective occurred in DeSoto County,” said Westlake, who cites notable leases and design/build activity from GENCO, Milwaukee Tool, Helen of Troy, Jimco Lamp and Patterson Warehouse. For Westlake, delivering top-notch service to his valued clients is first and foremost. “Nothing is more rewarding than delivering favorable results to a satisfied client and the opportunity to do repeat business,” he said. “I am always very thankful for the confidence and loyalty of these clients.” Westlake is a member of the Co- Star Advisory Board and the MAAR Commercial Council board of directors, and he is a graduate of Leadership Memphis as well as The Leadership Academy-LDI Masters Program. Away from work, during the past year he became involved with the Exchange Club Family Center, and he remains very active with the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis. “I consider myself blessed and recognize the importance of helping those that happen to be in less fortunate circumstances for whatever reason,” Westlake said. “As result, I have tried to devote as much time and effort as possible to community involvement. This comes easy, as I am a huge fan of Memphis.” Westlake and his wife are relaxing these days as new empty nesters, with their two children now in college. Top 25 Michael Waddell Special to The Daily News A ndy Cates, executive vice president of brokerage services for Colliers International in Memphis, classifies 2013 as a great year for industrial sales. He and his team completed 56 deals for approximately $34 million last year, while seeing a trend away from short-term transactions. “With the markets getting better, many people were trying to lock in long-term rates. It was great for the owners of those buildings to get a little more stability,” said Cates, who saw activity pick up in Memphis and Nashville. Cates became in 450-plus transa partner and actions totaling vice president at more than 45 milColliers Wilkinson lion square feet. Snowden, which He expects the now operates as local industrial Colliers Internamarket to contional, in 2005. He tinue to improve graduated from through 2014 Rhodes College thanks to minimal in 1998 with a new construction. “I don’t think Bachelor of Arts Cates Colliers International Memphis anyone is going in history and to build in Shelby ended up gravitatCounty any time soon,” said ing toward the commercial Cates, who expects any conreal estate industry based on struction to happen in DeSoto recommendations from a few or Marshall counties. close friends. Cates became a member of During his 15 years reprethe Society of Industrial and senting corporations, landlords Office Realtors (SIOR) in 2004 and investors in the Memphis and is a past president of the area, Cates has been involved member of the Memphis chapBoscos Cycling ter. He has also served on the Team, which raisMAAR Commeres money each year for multiple cial Council. He sclerosis. spent five years “By particion the Cooperpating in various Young Developrides last year ment Board, and Top 25 we were able to he serves as an raise more than elder for Idlewild Andy Cates $30,000 for MS. Presbyterian Position: Church and is a We’re trying to President past chairman hit $40,000 this Company: of its House and year,” he said. Colliers International Properties comCates, his Memphis mittee. wife, Mary AlliAway from son (the owner of the office, Cates Sew Memphis in recently has been involved Midtown), and their two young with the “Brewery On Tap” sons try to spend as much time project Downtown and he is a outdoors as possible. 16 Pinnacle Awards Commercial Real Estate april 2014 Entrepreneurial Spirit Drives Pera in Busy Sector Michael Waddell | B Special to The Daily News lake Pera, executive vice president of CB Richard Ellis Memphis’ multifamily division, is grateful his parents instilled in him a strong work ethic at a young age. Pera has now been successfully involved in commercial real estate for nearly 20 years, and he is currently responsible for CBRE’s multifamily real estate brokerage in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana. “2013 was another great year for multifamily owners in Memphis,” said Pera, a native Memphian who is Investment Sales Multifamily Broker of the Year. “The market experienced continued steady rent growth, and the investment sales market posted another healthy year.” Pera cites his team’s closing of a number of large transactions last year – like the 972-unit Country Squire and the 500-unit Riverset Apartments – as significant accomplishments of 2013. “While we closed transactions with buyers we have worked with for a number of years, it was also enjoyable bringing a number of new buyers to the market – groups from all over the country in- cluding Boston, New York and Chicago,” he said. He feels interest was good throughout the city last year, especially in Cordova and Downtown where nearly 70 percent of overall activity occurred. “There continues to be great interest in the newer properties, but it was good to see more depth from buyers his success. “We have a great team and what we do is fun, yet always presents new challenges,” Pera said. “Our team has built great relationships over the years, so it is also rewarding to work with clients who have also become personal friends over the years. Being able to get out of the office and interact with Investment Sales Multifamily Broker of the Year Blake Pera Position: Executive Vice President Company: CB Richard Ellis Memphis Blake Pera CB Richard Ellis Memphis LLC interested in looking at older properties in non-Class A locations,” Pera said. “There were a few sales of stable, older properties in our Class B locations last year, and this trend is continuing through the beginning of 2014 as well.” Pera credits his team at CBRE as a motivating factor in a number of clients also keeps things fresh.” He sees strong fundamentals in the Memphis multifamily market right now and thinks the positive trends should continue thanks to a stable and growing economy. “New supply has been lower than pre-recession “We have a great team and what we do is fun, yet always presents new challenges.” – Blake Pera CB Richard Ellis Memphis LLC levels, and the market has posted solid occupancy and rent growth gains the last few years,” Pera said. Pera received the Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation in 2001. He is certified as a licensed affiliate broker in Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama, and holds memberships in the Memphis Area Association of Realtors’ Commercial Council, the Apartment Association of Greater Memphis, the Tennessee Apartment Association and National Apartment Association. He received the Commercial Broker of the Year award in 2011 from the Memphis Area Association of Realtors, and he was named top multifamily broker by MAAR for 10 consecutive years. He reached a milestone within CBRE worldwide in 2005 when he was recognized as a top-200 producer, and he is a member of the Colbert Coldwell Circle, the highest honor given to producers within the company, going to the top 3 percent of brokers. Before joining CBRE 16 years ago, Pera worked as a real estate manager for AutoZone Inc. in the late 1990s, and was responsible for ac- quiring retail sites throughout Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts. He became involved in the real estate business right after graduating from the University of Tennessee in 1994 with his Bachelor of Science in marketing. A family friend gave him the opportunity to learn the business by working with him, and he managed a 16-unit property in Midtown. “Having pretty much free reign in my job, I was able to embrace the entrepreneurial spirit driving me today,” he said. “Both of my parents were also very entrepreneurial, and I am sure I soaked up their work ethic during my younger years.” Now he has transacted more than $1.9 billion in apartment sales since 2000 and has sold an estimated 45,000 multifamily units since 1990. Away from work, Pera and his wife of more than 15 years, Ashley, stay busy with their three children under age 9. They enjoy heading to Pickwick on weekends during the summer, and Pera likes to sneak in an occasional round of golf. He and his wife have been very active in the hemophilia community since their son was diagnosed with the bleeding disorder. Top 25 mercial real estate, he was a “late bloomer,” he hil Dagassays, not beginning in the tino, senior vice industry until 2006, at president with the age of 31. Cushman & “Real estate was Wakefield/Comsomething that always inmercial Advisors Asset terested me, I had a few Services LLC, grew up friends that did it and I in Memphis and atthought, ‘Hey, I’m going tended the University of to give this a try,’” he said. Memphis. Dagastino began on Dagastino Cushman & Wakefield/ Right out of college, this second career at CB Commercial Advisors he sold insurance for Richard Ellis Memphis Asset Services LLC AFLAC for eight years but moved over to Comand finished tops in the mercial Advisors two Memphis metro region years later, in 2008. for five straight years. Because of that timing and catching Despite a fervent interest in comthe economy on the down slope, Richard J. Alley Special to The Daily News P Dagastino never experienced the flush years of the business. Because he has no pre-slump comparison, every year looks better than the one before. Last year was no different and Dagastino counted on sheer volume to make 2013 a successful one. He runs the asset services side, representing landlords and focusing on office space. Reluctant to name any one client or transaction that might have Top 25 Phil Dagastino Position: Senior Vice President Company: Cushman & Wakefield/ Commercial Advisors Asset Services LLC outshone others, he says “they all added up to have as much value as the next one, some were larger than others but they all counted.” Dagastino represents space available in such well-known addresses as One Commerce Square, Clark Tower, Nonconnah Corporate Center and One Memphis Place. “Last year was pretty good, we’ve had a couple of good years, actually,” he says, while adding, “We’re very bullish on 2014.” Commercial Real Estate april 2014 Pinnacle Awards 17 Lamberson Capitalizes on Improving Market Richard J. Alley | Special to The Daily News J ohnny Lamberson Jr., executive vice president of the CB Richard Ellis Memphis capital markets group, has lived in Memphis 29 years, having moved here from Greenville, Miss., for his wifeto-be, Amy. Lamberson first became interested in commercial real estate while attending Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss. From that point forward, he geared his education toward that pursuit, interning with a real estate appraiser in undergraduate school before heading off to New York University for a master’s in the area. Upon graduation, he migrated back South. “My intentions were always to do that,” he said. “But I did enjoy my time up there, met a lot of great people, got a good education and it was a really good life experience going up there as a boy from the Delta.” He has worked with CBRE since 1995 and has completed nearly $2.5 billion in transactions, which include dispositions and acquisitions, salelease backs, tenant representation and land sales. Last year’s commercial real estate accomplishments helped Lamberson garner Investment Sales Industrial Broker of the Year honors. He has seen many changes in the industry during his time with the company, mainly in the way business is done and with the facts and figures available at one’s fingertips these days. “It continues to become more and more specialized, and it continues to become more and more competitive, and also the processes continue to be better,” he said. “You know, the world’s getting smaller on us by the day, information is easier to come by and I think it enables us to be better service providers for our clients.” Striving to be better and to better serve those clients is a constant goal for any professional, and it’s one that is seen daily at CBRE and with Lamberson himself. It’s how the firm has proven itself over time and what has made the most recent year so successful for both the company and the broker. “It was a good year: capital markets were definitely loosening up, the CMBS (commercial mortgage-backed securities) and insurance companies were getting back into the market from a lending standpoint,” Lamberson said. “It certainly made financing deals easier and it made the market more competitive as buyers were able to get financing more readily. It put more buyers in the market, therefore we were starting to see a bump up in pricing. … It really made a more active market than we had seen in the few prior markets.” One such client was Southland Primacy LLC, and the team of Terry Lynch and Karl Schledwitz, which purchased the Primacy II office building in East Memphis for $4.6 million. “We closed it in January and that was one of the last deals that we had put together last year,” Lamberson said. “We’ve sold buildings to them in the past and we consider them really great guys to work with, and enjoyable to work with and glad they’re here where we get to learn from them and spend time with them other than just the transactions we get to work on.” Investment Sales Industrial Broker of the Year Johnny Lamberson Jr. Position: Executive Vice President Company: CB Richard Ellis Memphis Johnny Lamberson Jr. CB Richard Ellis Memphis LLC Other clients include Sedgwick CMS, Loeb Properties, Harrah’s, Promus Hotel Corp., New York Life and West Clinic. It’s been a tough climb for everyone out of the mire of 2008, but the outlook is positive and last year’s successes should speak toward this year’s mindset. “I wouldn’t say that last year we reached those levels (pre-2008), but I would say that this year there’s certainly more of a sense that we’re tying to get to those levels,” he said. “I would say that from the industrial side of the business, we’re probably at or very near where we were in the height of the market in the mid-2000s. I would not say that from an office or retail perspective yet, however I would say that those things are picking up at a rapid pace. “(2014) could be a very good year. Things are indicating as such.” Lamberson and his wife, Amy, are the parents of 10-year-old Hardy, and Lamberson is involved with the Memphis Academy of Health and Science charter school. He has been a past winner of Pinnacle Awards for Industrial Sales Broker, Retail Sales Broker, Office Broker and Investment Sales Broker of the Year. 13th Annual Pinnacle Awards Honor CRE’s Best Amos Maki | T [email protected] he Memphis Area Association of Realtors Commercial Council’s 13th annual Pinnacle Awards ceremony is an evening dedicated to bringing commercial real estate industry professionals together and honoring them for their accomplishments in the previous year. Started in 2002, the Pinnacle Awards honor the highestproducing commercial real estate brokers in Memphis for the previous year in a number of divisions, including Brokers of the Year in 13 categories, as well as the Commercial Broker of the Year and the Commercial Hall of Fame inductee. A supplement announcing the winners will be given out after the ceremony and be featured in the April 4 issues of The Daily News and The Memphis News. The Daily News Publishing Co. Inc., parent company of The Daily News and The Memphis News, is a Pinnacle Awards sponsor. “It’s a great opportunity to shine a spotlight on members of the commercial real estate community who had an exceptional year in 2013,” said Tony Argiro, leasing representative at Highwoods Properties Inc. and co-chairman of the Pinnacle Awards. “It also gives everyone an opportunity, whether you’re a broker or involved in finance, architecture and design, general contracting, a lot of the industries we touch on, to network.” The program includes a brief, 20-minute presentation ceremony and has been streamlined to give guests more time to mingle. “People should see a marked difference in the overall environment and feel of the night,” Argiro said. “It’s less Oscars this year and more Golden Globes.” The MAAR Commercial Council will again be celebrating the Pinnacle Producers Club, as well as the Pinnacle Producers Club Life Members – those who have been elected to the Top 25 Pinnacle Awards List for any five years. The top producers will be recognized as Brokers of the Year for their area of production (retail, office, industrial, land and investment). Five new categories have been added, including “The Grit-n-Grind Broker of the Year” award, which recognizes the brokers with the most sales and leasing transactions, regardless of size or category type. This year’s event also marks the return of the Top 25 honors, which recognizes the overall top 25 producers. Applicants must have produced new real estate brokerage business of $2 million or more during 2013. It’s based off of the actual lease value created per broker or the cumulative total of larger sales. For instance, a five-year lease for 10,000 square feet and $20 per foot would yield a lease value of $200,000. Argiro said applicants stayed busy getting organized and reviewing all of their 2013 transactions, which can number in the dozens. “It is a lot of work, going back to every single deal and looking at the value of that deal and submitting the information,” he said. Argiro said the anonymity involved in the process is a major reason participants feel comfortable submitting detailed production information. “It’s not information that gets passed around,” said Argiro. “It’s all handled confidentially.” 18 Pinnacle Awards Commercial Real Estate april 2014 Life Members Wohrman Revels In Uniqueness of CRE Deals Richard J. Alley | Wyatt Aiken John Mercer Cushman & Wakefield / Commercial Advisors Highwoods Properties, Inc. Tony Argiro* Michael Morgan* Highwoods Properties, Inc. Tommy Bronson, III CB Richard Ellis Memphis, LLC Brad Murchison CB Richard Ellis Memphis, LLC CB Richard Ellis Memphis, LLC Patrick Burke Bentley Pembroke* CB Richard Ellis Memphis, LLC Andy Cates Commercial Advisor Asset Services, LLC Blake Pera Colliers International CB Richard Ellis Memphis, LLC Kemp Conrad Andrew Phillips* Commercial Advisor Asset Services, LLC Michael Donahoe Sperry Van Ness / Investec Realty Services Frank Dyer, III Loeb Realty Group Pat Gamble CB Richard Ellis Memphis, LLC Steve Guinn* Jason Polley Patrick Reilly, Jr. CB Richard Ellis Memphis, LLC Ron Riley Colliers International John Snyder Larry Jensen Kelly Truitt Cushman & Wakefield / Commercial Advisors CB Richard Ellis Memphis, LLC Ron Kastner Russ Westlake Brad Kornegay Cary Whitehead Johnny Lamberson, Jr. Dan Wilkinson Hank Martin* Steve Woodyard CB Richard Ellis Memphis, LLC NAI Saig Company ing the industry over the last few years, Wohrman said such consistent growth can be attributed to the company’s diverse array of services. “Personally, my transaction volume and revenue was evenly distributed among leasing, corporate surplus dispositions and investment sales,” he said. “I would like to keep this healthy mix of different types of transactions StoneCrest Investments Sperry Van Ness / Investec Realty Services Colliers International / Asset Services M emphis native Jack Wohrman III of Jones Lang LaSalle attended Presbyterian Day School, Briarcrest Christian School and the University of Mississippi, where he found his way to real estate through the school of business. “I initially selected accounting as my major in college but quickly realized it Colliers International Highwoods Properties, Inc. CB Richard Ellis Memphis, LLC Special to The Daily News Jones Lang LaSalle Boyle Investment Company Colliers International Woodyard Realty Corp. Investment Sales Office Broker of the Year Jack Wohrman III Position: Vice President Company: Jones Lang LaSalle Jim Mercer CB Richard Ellis Memphis, LLC * New Life members for 2013 Jack Wohrman III 2013 Pinnacle Producers Club MEMBERS Wyatt Aiken Jon Albright Cathy Anderson Tony Argiro Jeff Barry Jacob Biddle Joey Bland Todd Blanton Tommy Bronson, III Patrick Burke Brian Califf Bill Caller, Jr. Andy Cates Kemp Conrad Dave Curran, Jr. Phil Dagastino Bobby Daush Bryce Daves Michael Donahoe Don Drinkard, Jr. Frank Dyer, III Rosemarie Fair Jeb Fields Pat Gamble Jimbo Rainer, V Steve Guinn Patrick Reilly, Jr. Tanis Hackmeyer Ron Riley J. Hickman John Snyder Mark Jenkins Tracy Speake Larry Jensen Alex Stringfellow Ron Kastner Laura Taylor Brad Kornegay Ed Thomas, III Johnny Lamberson, Jr. Preston Thomas, Jr. Hank Martin Anna Tranum Tim Mashburn Shawn Massey Kelly Truitt Roger McLemore Alex Turley Jim Mercer Bob Turner John Mercer Conner Walker Michael Morgan Patrick Walton Brad Murchison Matt Weathersby Bentley Pembroke Russ Westlake Blake Pera Brian Whaley Andrew Phillips Allen Wilkinson Jason Polley Jack Wohrman, III Terry Radford Jim Rainer, IV Steve Woodyard Jones Lang LaSalle wasn’t for me,” he said. “I moved to the business school towards a finance major with an emphasis in real estate. That ended up being what I majored in along with general business.” But the switch might not have been completely random. His maternal grandfather, Den Ward, was a mortgage banker and a strong influence on Wohrman’s decision to pursue the chosen field. There were other inspirations along the way as well. “I had the benefit of having two business-minded real estate professors at Ole Miss, Dr. Dennis Tosh and Dr. William Rayburn, who both made classes enjoyable.” He went into the industry after college more than 12 years ago and has been with Jones Lang LaSalle for a little more than four years, handling tenant representation and agency and investment sales transactions of industrial and office assets. He has successfully negotiated more than 7 million square feet of industrial, office and retail transactions, totaling in excess of $365 million. And his achievements in 2013 earned him the Investment Sales Office Broker of the Year award. Jones Lang LaSalle’s revenues have increased approximately 13 percent year over year and are up to nearly $4.5 billion now. With myriad challenges fac- each year. I attribute a great deal of my success in 2013 to the JLL platform, my local colleagues’ support and good fortune.” While it was the consistency he counted on for success throughout the year, it always helps to build a lead by hitting a homerun in the first inning. Wohrman’s first transaction of the year was a 90,000-square-foot, single-tenant office transaction. Wohrman enjoys the uniqueness in every deal and the seemingly endless opportunities that the challenges of the industry and his clients bring to the table. “New construction of speculative development is challenging in today’s environment,” he said. “Memphis is a spec market so I hope that spec activity picks up going forward.” Wohrman said he hopes to see the speculative activity pick up in the near future and says that, “Overall, activity is up significantly over this time last year. Assuming this trend continues, 2014 will be an improvement over 2013.” Wohrman is engaged to marry Liza Creech this summer and says he is lucky to have all of his immediate family in Memphis. “I try to take full advantage of spending quality time with them,” he said. Commercial Real Estate Pinnacle Awards april 2014 19 Professional, Personal Growth Fuel Truitt Richard J. Alley | K Special to The Daily News elly Truitt, executive vice president with CB Richard Ellis, has had a long and prosperous career in the commercial real estate industry. First becoming enamored with the field while a student at the University of Arkansas, he makes light of himself remembering a presentation on real estate early on in which he was told “one did not have to be especially intelligent to make it.” “I saw a potential fit,” Truitt said. Yet real estate was one of the few classes he connected with, and excelled in, and he would later work for Henry Turley Co., where he was responsible for all commercial property activities including acquisition, leasing and management. There was a potential fit, indeed, as he went to work for CBRE in 1990, and has risen in the field ever since. With more than a quarter century in the industry, the key, Truitt said, is to continue to grow as a persona and broker. “The more I learn, the more I realize there is so much more to know and it’s a work with and develop real relationships of appreciation and trust.” It is that trust and those relationships that led to the Land Broker of the Year Kelly Truitt Position: Executive Vice President Company: CB Richard Ellis Memphis Kelly Truitt CB Richard Ellis Memphis LLC “I am with a great team, our Tenant Advisory Group, with wonderful clients so I feel very fortunate. Our 2013 was fantastic.” – Kelly Truitt CB Richard Ellis Memphis LLC great journey of change and growth. The greatest reward by far is the people you meet, successes in 2013 and the recognition of Land Broker of the Year. “Last year was a good year for the CRE industry nationally and our region with improving market conditions,” he said. “My business line focus is on the office market, specifically tenant representation, so some softness can prove effective for our clients. “We have seen more balancing with increased demand and minimal new supply, especially in major business centers across the country. “I am with a great team, our Tenant Advisory Group, with wonderful clients so I feel very fortunate. Our 2013 was fantastic.” Some of those clients include Baptist Memorial Health Care, MATA, Thompson Dunavant CPA, Verso Paper and the DuPont Corp. With a trend toward the more efficient utilization of office space with less square footage per person, Truitt is interested to see if such a trend will mean increased business productivity and a subsequent demand for more office space, or if the efficient use keeps actual demand as measured by square feet for space flat. Regardless, he said, “I anticipate continued improvement in most all markets. In Memphis we are seeing more activity beyond the typical organic growth, which is encouraging.” In all industries there are challenges, and in Memphis, there is one being played out in the gateway to the city that affects a wide range of markets. “A significant challenge is the loss of flights at Memphis International (Airport),” Truitt said. “Our clients are feeling the effects of fewer flights and this impacts office location decisions and staff levels.” Despite this obstacle, his confidence and optimism don’t wane, and he continues to call upon the resources available and to look forward. “We are very appreciative of efforts and new initiatives our city and county leadership, as well as our chamber of commerce, is undertaking regarding economic development,” he said. “We are bullish on Memphis.” He is also protective of his city and works closely with nonprofit and civic organizations to make it a better place for the community and his family, his wife, Sharon, and children Connor and Callan. “One of the great things about Memphis is the openness and opportunity to get involved,” he said. “I have worked with very talented professionals at various service agencies including the Memphis Child Advocacy Center, The Food Bank, New Memphis Institute and River City Capital Development.” Truitt in 2003 was inducted into the CB Richard Ellis Colbert Coldwell Circle, which honors the company’s top 3 percent, and he is a multi-year Pinnacle Awards winner. Top 25 that the good run they’d had up until that point was atrick Reilly, vice nearly over. He, in effect, president with CB dashed Reilly’s dreams just Richard Ellis Memas he was donning a cap phis, started with and gown. the firm in 1999, “I decided that I would his first job in commercial get into commercial real real estate after graduatestate,” he said. ing from the University of He’s happy with that Tennessee-Knoxville, with decision and has made a Reilly a Bachelor of Science in success of his career repreCB Richard Ellis Memphis LLC Business Administration senting landlords of office and Finance. buildings. For more than three years while at “Last year was certainly an imUT, Reilly had interned with Morgan provement over the previous couple of Keegan. Just before graduation in 1998, years,” he said. during his exit interview, the interview“We started to see companies getee suggested to him that the bottom ting some confidence back and willing was about to drop out of the market, to make some longer-term commitRichard J. Alley Special to The Daily News P working with each day, ments and decisions, so it we’re working on more was a better year certainly expansions today than financially for our clients we have been in the past and the companies we two or three years, and work with on a day-to-day people are willing to look basis.” at new space, hire more Reilly works closely people and make those with colleagues Ron KastTop 25 longer-term decisions that ner, Don Drinkard Jr. and they just weren’t making Austin Ehrat to handle Patrick Reilly necessarily the previous the East Memphis portPosition: years.” folio and clients, which Vice President Reilly received the include Belz Enterprises, Company: Ernst & Young, SunTrust 2004 CBRE Memphis CB Richard Ellis Memphis Banks, Koger Equity and Vision Award and 2005 Parkway Properties. Chairmen’s Award. He “There’s still convolunteers with Metropolfidence out there and the market is itan Inter-Faith Association (MIFA), St. improving,” he said in looking to the Jude Children’s Research Hospital and coming year. “The tenants that we’re Boys and Girls Clubs of Memphis. Pinnacle Awards 20 Commercial Real Estate april 2014 2013 Busy Year for Guinn, Highwoods Michael Waddell | Special to The Daily News Office Landlord Representative Broker of the Year Steve Guinn Position: Vice President & Division Manager Company: Highwoods Properties Inc. Steve Guinn Highwoods Properties Inc. S teve Guinn, vice president and division manager of Highwoods Properties Inc., likes the diversity of the commercial real estate industry. “It’s an intriguing business, from construction to basic dealmaking to the legal aspects,” said Guinn, who has now worked for more than 30 years in commercial real OTHERS TALK. WE DELIVER. Specializing in Commercial Window Treatments Distributors for leading manufacturers Solar roller shades Custom blinds Plantation shutters Large and Growing Inventory! We Will Stock Your Sizes! estate, development, leasing, marketing and finance. “Over the years I’ve most enjoyed working with the variety of people I’ve met.” Guinn oversees the Memphis operations for Raleigh, N.C.-based Highwoods, which owns, leases and manages a portfolio of 19 office buildings encompassing roughly 2 million square feet. During 2013 Guinn was most active in the East Memphis submarket and the Tenn. 385 corridor, which he cites as the strongest submarkets for the city and for Highwoods. “Both markets saw slight upticks in rent,” Guinn said. “The East submarket is tightening up, and there is not much Class A space available of more than 10,000 square feet. I think 2014 will continue to be a grind-it-out situation, with the filling in of some smaller spaces, and I believe it is up in the air as to what is going to happen with the Class B market.” Big developments for Guinn’s team last year included closing the deal on the new International Paper building in East Memphis. “Highlights for the year definitely included signing the lease with International Paper to construct the new IP tower on Poplar Avenue,” said Guinn, whose deals earned him Office Landlord Representative Broker of the Year. “The steel is up to the ninth floor, and the building will be topped out in a few weeks. We are scheduled to open it around April 1 of 2015.” Highwoods has grown in Memphis over the past few years through locating strategic assets within the market for acquisition as well as by completing new construction. “Last year we also completed the construction of the two new restaurants (Seasons 52 and The Capital Grille) at the Crescent Center,” Guinn said. “It was a pretty involved situation to create two outparcels at that site, and I think it has turned out well. “Both restaurants are doing great from a sales perspective, and they have been received very positively in the community.” Guinn earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Baylor University before joining the Trammell Crow Co. in 1978. He moved to Memphis in 1987 with Trammell Crow and joined Highwoods in 2004. He is a certified public accountant and a member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors, CCIM, Lambda Alpha International and the Urban Land Institute. He is also a LEED accredited professional as designated by the U.S. Green Building Council, and he is a former member of the Memphis Area Association of Realtors board of directors. Guinn helped deliver Triad Centre III, the first USGBC LEED Gold-certified office building in Memphis. He received the Pinnacle Award as Memphis’ top office sales broker in 2002 and 2004 and was named Broker of the Year for 2009. Away from work, Guinn serves on the board of directors of the Soulsville Foundation, is a member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club and is a project board member of Shelby Farms Park Conservancy. He is also a former board member for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Guinn and his wife, Pam, are empty nesters with three children and three grandchildren, and they love to travel. “I have a goal to visit 100 countries before I am 80. I’ve visited 42 so far,” said Guinn, who also plays trumpet in his spare time. He played during high school and college before taking a 30year break from the instrument. He picked it back up more than a decade ago, and now he plays in a couple of bands that perform regularly around town, including a 17-piece big band called Swing Time Explosion and the Bartlett Community Band. “It takes up a couple of nights a week for rehearsals, and I really have a lot of fun with it,” Guinn said. “It keeps your mind active for sure, and it is something you can do as you get older without having to worry about blowing out your knee.” Data Direct The data you need, delivered to your inbox, daily. Or weekly. Or monthly. You choose. 2602 Faxon Ave • Memphis, TN 38112 901-324-7733 www.blindambitionllc.com Learn more at memphisdailynews.com Powered by Commercial Real Estate april 2014 Pinnacle Awards 21 Gamble Finds Natural Fit With Real Estate Michael Waddell | P Special to The Daily News at Gamble, senior vice president specializing in office corporate and brokerage services with CB Richard Ellis Memphis, has selling real estate in his blood. Gamble grew up in Charlotte, N.C., and his mother sold residential real estate in the early 1970s. “My mother remarried in the early 1980s and my stepfather owned some commercial real estate, so I’ve been around the industry for a long time,” said Gamble, who moved to Memphis from Charlotte in 1988 to attend Rhodes College, where he majored in political science and graduated in 1992. Gamble began his real estate career with CB Richard Ellis Memphis in 1997 after initially working in outside sales in the food industry after completing college. “I’ve always been a salesperson. By the mid- to late1990s, I knew I wanted to get out of the food business but I wanted to stay in sales,” he said. “I had a history with real estate, and it was really a natural progression for me to make the career switch.” Since joining CBRE Gamble has strictly represented tenants of office space and today he handles several large multi-market accounts. “I began working here alongside someone who specialized in office properties, and I’ve never strayed,” he said. Gamble, the 2013 Office Tenant Representative Broker of the Year, also is involved in the management of the CBRE Memphis’ office through work on several management committees. He describes 2013 as stable with some organic growth from existing companies in the market. “We saw, or are continuing to see, many more inquiries from out-of-town companies, and while there were not a lot, there were some new operations opening up in Memphis,” he said. “We are definitely seeing an upward trend in the market.” Gamble works closely with a client services specialist and two other brokers, former Pinnacle Award winners Kelly Truitt and Michael Morgan. “Last year was one of the busiest years that we’ve ever had,” Gamble said. “We were very active both in the Memphis area and out of town.” Gamble stays concentrated on companies and their needs, and his work in 2013 covered many different parts of the city. What he likes most about working in the CRE industry is the sense of fulfillment that comes from helping other people. “That’s really the crux of what we do as office occupier advisers. We negotiate and advise people about office in 2005, 2011, 2012 and 2013. “I enjoy working with enthusiastic, creative and driven people, and the people who handle “I had a history with real estate, and it was really a natural progression for me to make the career switch.” – Pat Gamble CB Richard Ellis Memphis LLC Office Tenant Representative Broker of the Year Pat Gamble Position: Senior Vice President Company: CB Richard Ellis Memphis Pat Gamble CB Richard Ellis Memphis LLC space,” said Gamble, who was also honored with the Pinnacle Award for Office Tenant Representative Broker of the Year commercial real estate for most companies are generally that way.” Gamble is a member of the Memphis Area Association of Realtors and the National Association of Realtors. He lists significant accomplishments like handling multi-market accounts for Sedgwick CMS and Wunderlich Securities, and his growing client list includes Davidson Hotel Co., Ernst & Young, First Data Corp., Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh and Mercer Capital. Gamble likes to give back to the local community by working for a large variety of nonprofit organizations, sometimes on an ad hoc or one-time basis. He is a former Boy Scout and currently serves as a board member of Chickasaw Council Boy Scouts of America. He is also a past board member of the American Red Cross and Memphis Interfaith Association (MIFA), and he is actively involved with the Rhodes College career services department. He and his wife of the past 15 years, Anne, have two children under age 10. “The kids keep us happily very busy,” Gamble said. “We stay very active with sports and school activities.” In his spare time, Gamble likes to get away to Arkansas to do some fly fishing, an activity he enjoyed while growing up in North Carolina, whenever he gets the opportunity. Top 25 “With a lack of large blocks of inventory, we fiohn Mercer, director nally saw some movement of office leasing for in smaller suite activity,” Raleigh, N.C.-based he said. “With no new Highwoods Properspeculative construction ties Inc., enjoyed a and continued demand, I surge in activity during the expect vacancy rates will second half of 2013. continue to decrease and “Our occupancy rates rents should continue to took a dip during the spring rise.” Mercer last year, but by year-end Mercer, a native MemHighwoods Properties Inc. we were able to increase phian, has focused on the our occupancy by more sale and leasing of office than 4 percent to close at 87.8 percent,” and commercial properties in Nashville said Mercer, whose concentration is in and Memphis during his 22-year career. the hot East Memphis Poplar Avenue He joined Highwoods in March of 2001 corridor. and previously worked for Coldwell The positive absorption led to deBanker, Wilkinson & Snowden, Tramclining vacancy rates and upward presmell Crow Co., and CB Richard Ellis. sure on rents due to dwindling supply of He hopes to see more interest large blocks of space. from companies looking to move to Michael Waddell Special to The Daily News J Mercer is a former Memphis. president of the MAAR “Like our industrial Commercial Council and counterparts, the office remains active with the market would benefit group. greatly with an influx of “The past few years new companies comhave been rewarding ing to town; other than because of our support of the recently announced Top 25 the Make-a-Wish FoundaConduit Global move, tion through our annual outside growth is virtually John Mercer golf tournament,” he said. nonexistent,” Mercer said. Position: “With our inordinately “Granting a wish at the Director of Leasing dinner at the end of the high property taxes, any tournament gives you a increase in tax rates will Company: Highwoods Properties Inc. warm feeling that in a certainly put a damper on the progress the office small way we are makmarket achieved in 2013.” ing a difference in our He believes that for community.” continued job growth and demand for Away from work, he is also currently office space, the city needs continued a trustee for Visible Music College. Mergrowth in air service options at Memcer and his wife of 30-plus years, Sally, phis International Airport. have two grown sons. 22 Pinnacle Awards Commercial Real Estate april 2014 The World’s Leading Commercial Real Estate Professionals The Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS® is the leading professional commercial and industrial real estate association Locate other SIOR professionals at www.sior.com Stellar Year Earns Phillips Two Awards Richard J. Alley | Special to The Daily News 2014 Pinnacle Awards The Memphis Chapter of SIOR would like to congratulate the following members recognized by the Memphis Area Association of Realtors Commercial Council as top producers for 2013. Top 25 Producers Retail Tenant Representative Broker of the Year & Investment Sales Retail Broker of the Year Andrew Phillips Wyatt Aiken Andrew Phillips Andy Cates Scott Pahlow Steve Guinn Preston Thomas Hank Martin Jack Wohrman 2014 Pinnacle Producers Club Jon Albright Patrick Burke Kemp Conrad Jeb Fields Mark Jenkins Larry Jensen Jim Mercer Jim Rainer John Snyder Position: Vice President Matt Weathersby Allen Wilkinson WWW.SIOR.COM Company: Colliers International A ndrew Phillips began working with Colliers International on March 4, 2008. He remembers that date exactly because it was also the very day his daughter, Virginia, was born. “I said, ‘Guys, I’m not going to make it, the baby’s coming today,’” he said. “So I took an immediate paternity leave as soon as I started.” The birth of a child is a good omen and things have certainly gone well for that new father, now a vice president in Investment and Retail Services, and winner of the Retail Tenant Representative Broker of the Year, as well as Investment Sales Retail Broker of the Year. Phillips is a fifth-generation Memphian who attended Briarcrest Christian School and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He began his career in commercial real estate with NAI Saig Co. in 2002 where he was able to dabble in a bit of everything – retail, office and industrial properties. “I touched on a lot of food groups, if you will.” In 2006, he left to open the Memphis office of Lehman Brothers, Small Business Finance Division, focusing on commercial real estate lending of owner occupied and investment properties throughout the southeast. Though Lehman Brothers would eventually collapse, he said, “it was intriguing, and I thought that would be a good learning experience, which it was.” When he joined Colliers on that auspicious day, it was at the beginning of one of the worst recessions in recent history. “It was a pretty rough time for traditional property owners,” he said. “I tried to focus on working with banks Andrew Phillips Colliers International and CMBS (commercial mortgagebacked securities) lenders that were being flooded with REO inventory that needed third-party companies to lease, manage and eventually sell these buildings. Combining forces with our Asset Services division, we were successful in capturing some of this business and we have been able to grow our retail and investment platform as a result.” He partners now with Ed Thomas on all retail products and with Andy Cates and Preston Thomas on much of the industrial investment product. He said 2013 was a good year in both categories. “We had a handful of transactions and I think that Ed Thomas and I, on the retail front, from the leasing side, completed over 40 transactions,” he said. “We just stayed the course and stayed busy throughout the year.” It was that steadiness, that consistency of transactions, that helped make the year so successful, along with the major bump of a transaction involving a three-building portfolio for Ashley Home Furniture Stores in November. It’s the momentum of last year and its absence of lulls that Phillips and the team intend to build on for 2014. So far, it’s full steam ahead. “The first quarter has been very good and we kind of see our pipeline for the next year or two to remain that way, so our outlook is very positive and will hopefully continue to be that way,” he said. In addition to Virginia, who is now 6 years old, Phillips and his wife, Maggie, also have Andrew, 4, and Louise, 19 months. Raising a family is a team endeavor and Phillips is a team player both at home and within the commercial real estate family. Commercial Real Estate april 2014 Pinnacle Awards 23 Love of CRE Dynamism Keeps Turley Thriving Michael Waddell | Special to The Daily News Retail Landlord Representative Broker of the Year est year-end total since 2010,” Turley said. “We are seeing a lot more largebox, single-tenant new construction activity coupled with infill redevelopment, with the most shining example being Overton Square and ancillary properties.” Turley cites the Square redevelopment project as one of the most significant areas for retail in the city during 2013, thanks to the area’s 125,000 square feet of retail transactions. The bulk of Turley’s workload during 2013 concentrated around fitness, medical, grocery, larger-box retail and restaurants. “The deal that sticks out in my mind is the sale of the Union Avenue Post Office to Baptist Medical Group,” he said. “This significant investment in such a prime property on Union Avenue underlines that medical users have essentially become another category of retail, and I like what medical investment in our core means for our city.” Alex Turley Position: Vice President Company: CB Richard Ellis Memphis Alex Turley CB Richard Ellis Memphis LLC B ecause Alex Turley, vice president of retail brokerage services at CB Richard Ellis Memphis LLC, enjoys how retail intertwines with the community, he is very much focused on people’s desires and needs. “I’ve always been interested in the mechanics of cities and neighborhoods from a development standpoint,” he said. “It’s as basic as looking at a piece of property and figuring out the best use, and then taking steps to achieve that use.” Now in his 10th year with CBRE, Turley started as an associate in the East Memphis office and was promoted to vice president of retail services in January 2012. He manages both the brokerage and asset services sides of the retail division of CB Richard Ellis Memphis and is most active in Memphis; Jackson, Tenn.; and Tupelo, Miss. He holds licenses to practice real estate in Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and Alabama. “I enjoy the dynamism of the discipline because every day I find myself working on various types of transactions, whether that means representing tenants and buyers, assembling property for a developer, or selling a building, land or leasing space,” he said. His primary responsibilities on the brokerage side include building and land acquisition, lease and contract negotiations, financial analysis, market surveys, site searches and single-tenant triple net property sales on behalf of end users, developers and investors. Top clients include Dollar General, AFC Enterprises Inc., Chrysler, First Tennessee Bank, ALSAC/St. Jude, The Kroger Co., Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Regions Bank and Jimmy Johns Gourmet Sandwiches. On the asset services side, Turley’s main responsibilities consist of building, land and outparcel sales, lease and contract negotiations, financial analysis, shopping center leasing, multimarket dispositions and infill redevelopment work. His asset list consists of properties like West Towne Commons in Jackson, Tenn.; Barnes Crossing Shopping Center in Tupelo; and Eastgate Shopping Center and Legends Parks in Memphis. “The Memphis MSA retail market saw nearly 350,000 square feet of net absorption in 2013, which was the high- all brokers are not CREated equal Financial Federal is proud to sponsor 2014’s Pinnacle Awards and congratulates the honorees. As locally based specialists in commercial real estate lending, we appreciate your role in the growth of Memphis’ business community. We look forward to talking with you about your clients’ needs and invite you to visit us at FinFedMem.com. FinFedMem.com | 6305 Humphreys Blvd., Suite 100, Memphis, TN 38120 | 901.756.2848 | you earned it. Customized Lists at Your Fingertips! Create your own personalized set of Marketing Leads with The Daily News Online Custom List Builder tool! ONLINE SERVICES Would you like to market your services to New Homeowners in specific areas? Or see a list of recently Foreclosed Properties in Shelby County? With the Custom List Builder Tool you can build custom lists of new homeowners, mortgages, building permits, new utility connections, business licenses, marriage licenses and more! Purchase marketing leads for as low as 15¢ per record! We can also customize your lists for you based on your target audience! Start building your lists today! Simply select your list type and narrow down the results using your own unique criteria. Choose from: • New Home Owners (Property Sales) • Marriage Licenses • Mortgages • Mortgage Releases • Bankruptcy Filings • Divorce Filings • New Utility Connections • Foreclosure Notices • Foreclosed Properties • Building Permits • And More! Contact Wendy Greenlaw at 901.528.5273 or [email protected] for a quote or to learn more!